BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – Broadcast journalist Rodrigo "Jiggy" Manicad revealed on Saturday, September 22, 2018, that he intends to run for senator in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

The confirmation happened during his talk with campus journalists in a regional press conference in Baybay City, Leyte, after a campus journalist asked about his plans for the 2019 elections.

Manicad said yes.

“Tatakbo ako. Hindi na ako [mag]papakipot (No more beating around the bush, I will run for senator),” was his direct answer.

As an alumnus of University of the Philippines Los Baños, Manicad added that he was sent to school through the taxes of the Filipinos and he wants to give back to them as a public servant. He also added, “Kung tatanungin mo ako if I really want to have power, ayoko ng ganun. It’s more of correct the institutions na magsisilbi sila.” (I don’t want to have power. I want to correct the institutions to ensure proper service.)

Last April 19, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III revealed Manicad’s name as one of the PDP-Laban party’s initial list of possible senatorial candidates.

The COMELEC set the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2019 elections on October 1 to 5, 2018.

About 250 campus journalists and press advisers were in attendance during the Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference, hosted by Visayas State University.